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Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Suburb

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At a glance

Average net price
$28,673What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
57%
Graduation rate
74%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
1,813
In-state tuition
$56,402Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$56,402
SAT midpoint
1,238
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$61,825Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against private nonprofit 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$28,673

Better than 25% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1092 compared).

Completion

74%

Better than 82% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1063 compared).

Earnings

$61,825

Better than 71% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1087 compared).

Debt at graduation

$26,158

Better than 27% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1020 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$70,655

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$28,673

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Lake Forest College
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time74%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return90%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$26,158
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$61,825

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Lake Forest College by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Finance and Financial Management Services$61,26431
Economics$53,52924
Computer Science$48,5879
Business/Commerce, General$44,28347
Communication and Media Studies$42,83514
Social Sciences, Other$39,054Not reported
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$35,62223
Political Science and Government$34,31718
Biology, General$33,38026
English Language and Literature, General$32,98218
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$26,99819
Research and Experimental PsychologyNot reported60
Neurobiology and NeurosciencesNot reported30
Data AnalyticsNot reported21
Sociology and AnthropologyNot reported17
International Relations and National Security StudiesNot reported15
PhilosophyNot reported14
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesNot reported13
HistoryNot reported11
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralNot reported9
PhysicsNot reported8
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported8
MathematicsNot reported7
StatisticsNot reported6
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyNot reported6
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftNot reported5
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesNot reported4
Religion/Religious StudiesNot reported4
ChemistryNot reported3
MusicNot reported3
Area StudiesNot reported2
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasNot reported1
Education, GeneralNot reported1
Psychology, GeneralNot reportedNot reported

All 34 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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